Rachel and Shanthi run the puppy training and socialization course at NWA School for Dogs.  Here are the most commonly asked questions and their answers.

• Potty Training Understanding puppy development -what can they do by what age
  • Physical development of the muscles needed to control their bladder doesn’t occur until approximately 4-6 months of age
  • In theory the formula for how long a puppy can hold their bladder is months of age + 1. So a 3 month old could hold it for approximately 4 hours BUT this only really applies if they’re sleeping so use it as a general guideline for overnights. Some puppies can go longer and some can’t go as long.
• How often should I take my puppy out?
  • A few rules:
    • If they’re sleeping, let them sleep. Take them out as soon as they wake up
    • If they’re playing, every 5-10 minutes depending on age
      • Play is super distracting to puppies and even if they can usually hold it longer they may not realize they need to go until it’s too late
    • They’re going to need to potty shortly after drinking and after eating
    • Common signs they need to go out:
      • Cornering: if you see your puppy suddenly stop what they’re doing, go to walls/corners/tucked away spots, and start really investigating the area, take them out!
      • Sniffing: similar to cornering, if they pause whatever activity they’re doing and switch to sniffing the ground, take them out!
      • Going towards the door, even if they get distracted and start doing something else, take them anyway
  • Expect young puppies to wake up in the middle of the night because they need to potty
    • These trips outside can/should be boring for the puppy. Calmly leash them in their crate, walk them outside, silently wait for them to potty, and then quietly walk them back to their crate on leash.
  • Tips:
    • Use the same phrase every time “do you need to go out” while you’re taking them outside. As they get older and start to understand you’ll be able to ask them “Do you need to go out” and if they do they’ll go to the door
    • Confinement and restricted access to the house will be your friend. Too much freedom makes it easy for accidents to happen. Close bedroom doors, gate off areas you can’t see, and keep an eye on your puppy so you can recognize signs that they may need to potty before they have an accident inside. When you can’t supervise them, put them in a crate or playpen.
• They won’t stop jumping! Help!
  • Most puppies jump because they want something above their height – whether that’s attention or treats. We can fix that by meeting them at their level
    • If you see the puppy coming, reach all the way down to their height with your arms circled like you’re giving a hug and let them come into your arms for affection. This way they aren’t jumping up to try to reach your hands to get pet.
    • If they jump when you go to deliver a treat, then we can change how we’re delivering the treat. Instead of going out and over their head to give it to them, move it down your body and aim to deliver it under their chin. There’s no motivation for them to jump if the treat isn’t above them.
  • Important when they do jump
    • They’re probably doing it for attention so don’t give it to them!! Don’t shove them off, talk to them, etc. Puppies don’t really care if it’s positive or negative attention, they just care that you touched or talked to them and therefore they got what they wanted. Just move away and then offer attention when all four paws are on the floor.
• They’re biting my arms and legs.  Look at my arms!
  • Keep ten toys within arms reach at any given time. If you see them coming in like they’re going to be mouthy, grab a toy and offer it as soon as they get to you
  • If your puppy is exhibiting good bite inhibition (meaning the pointy puppy shark teeth hurt but they aren’t latched on hard when they mouth you), don’t jerk away or make a noise if they bite you as that can make it more exciting for the puppy. Let your hand/arm whatever go limp and wait a few seconds. Most puppies will quit when they realize it’s boring and you’re not doing anything. When they do quit, grab a toy and initiate appropriate play.
    • If they are NOT inhibiting their bite, let us know and we can help
  • If they’re biting at your legs when you’re walking, you can start leaving treat trails on the ground while you walk so they look for food instead of looking at your pants – bonus effect of starting to teach them to calmly walk with you so leash training will be easier.
• They keep chewing things up / stealing my stuff!!
  • Management
    • As much as possible, don’t leave temptations out for the puppy. If you know they’re prone to chewing on your favorite shoes then put them where the puppy can’t get to them.
  • If your puppy has gotten ahold of something they aren’t supposed to have, you’re going to trade them for a treat
    • Get a high value treat
    • Calmly walk to your puppy 
    • Stuff the treat right in front of their nose
    • When they spit out what they have to get the treat, give the treat and grab the item with your other hand
  • Do not chase the puppy because then the thievery will be an even more rewarding game!
  • If they’re chewing furniture –
    • Have toys/chews available in these areas so they have a “yes” you can chew this to counter the “no” you can’t chew the furniture
    • Wrapping plastic gutters around furniture legs can protect them while you get through the teething phase

Extras:

• Clean potty accidents with Natures Miracle. Puppies will go potty in places that smell to their sensitive noses like they’ve gone there in the past, an enzyme cleaner will kill the enzymes so your puppy won’t be able to continue smelling it
• Crates are your friend for all things puppy – if you can’t have eyes on them the best thing you can do is confine them so they can’t practice behaviors you don’t want
  • Baby gates and playpens are also HUGELY beneficial for the same purposes
• Puppies need to sleep a LOT. If you notice there’s a time of day they start getting extra mouthy and ornery then it might be time for a nap. Much like toddlers, when puppies get overtired they can get a little out of control. We can facilitate that by putting them in a crate for a little bit so they sleep/rest
• Pacifiers!!
  • Stuffed kongs
  • Toppls
  • Cow ears
  • Yak chews
  • Frozen carrots (especially for teething puppies!)